Guitar EffectsBrowse guides

Processors, routing and complete rigs

Make every block serve the whole signal path.

Choose a processor by the job it performs, then make amplification, control and outputs behave as one reliable system.

Compare the BOSS trioPlan the rig →
A multi-effects processor and two pedals arranged as a complete guitar rig

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Choose the center of the system

Start with the processing and control format that fits the complete rig.

01

Floor processors

Full control surfaces for presets, scenes, expression and stage routing.

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Compact multi-effects

Portable processing for small boards, practice and backup rigs.

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Amp modelers

Direct rigs with amplifier, cabinet and effects processing.

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Controllers and FRFR

MIDI, expression and full-range monitoring for complete systems.

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Popular multi-effects

Ten current processors people are comparing and buying, from compact complete rigs to flagship floor systems.

BOSS GT-1000 guitar effects processor

BOSS GT-1000

BOSS’s flagship AIRD floor processor with 32-bit/96 kHz processing, deep routing, dual send/return loops and extensive performance control.

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BOSS GX-100 guitar effects processor

BOSS GX-100

AIRD amp modeling, freely arranged chains and a color touchscreen make complex routing visible and practical onstage.

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BOSS ME-90 guitar multi-effects processor

BOSS ME-90

A knob-driven multi-effects floorboard with 11 AIRD amp models, 60 effects and an operating style close to individual pedals.

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Line 6 HX Stomp multi-effects processor

Line 6 HX Stomp

Helix-family amps, cabinets and effects in a compact three-switch format with stereo routing, MIDI, USB audio and an effects loop.

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Fender Tone Master Pro multi-effects workstation

Fender Tone Master Pro

A flagship touchscreen workstation with ten footswitch encoders, broad amp and effects modeling, four effects loops and extensive stage I/O.

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HeadRush Flex Prime guitar multi-effects processor

HeadRush Flex Prime

A compact touchscreen modeler with an expression pedal, amp and pedal cloning, cloud sharing, USB audio and a performance looper.

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Hotone Ampero II Stage multi-effects processor

Hotone Ampero II Stage

A compact dual-chain processor with a five-inch touchscreen, scene switching, flexible I/O and support for third-party speaker IRs.

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Line 6 POD Go guitar multi-effects processor

Line 6 POD Go

A portable floorboard with HX-family sounds, a large color display, onboard expression, snapshots, an effects loop and USB recording.

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Zoom G6 guitar multi-effects processor

Zoom G6

A touchscreen floor processor that combines amp modeling, effects, user IR loading, an expression pedal, rhythms and an onboard looper.

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Line 6 Helix LT guitar multi-effects processor

Line 6 Helix LT

A full-size dual-DSP Helix processor with a large color display, touch-sensitive switches, expression control and flexible stage routing.

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System decisions

Choose the architecture before the feature list.

All guides →
Foundations

Guitar Effects Types: From Gain to Time and Pitch

Understand the major guitar-effects families, what each changes in the signal and which controls matter when building a rig.

Buying

Multi-Effects Processor Buying Guide

Compare multi-effects processors by sound architecture, foot control, routing, I/O, editing, durability and expansion needs.

Buying

BOSS GT-1000 vs GX-100 vs ME-90: Signal Chain, Controls and Amp Modeling

Compare the BOSS GT-1000, GX-100 and ME-90 by signal-chain editing, movable send/return placement, physical controls and AIRD amp modeling.

Buying

Multi-Effects vs. Individual Pedals

Choose between a multi-effects processor, individual pedals or a hybrid rig by comparing control, routing, repeatability and resilience.

Buying

Compact Multi-Effects vs. Full Floorboards

Compare compact and full-size multi-effects by foot access, I/O, expression control, DSP capacity, portability and stage visibility.

Architecture

Effects-Only Units vs. Amp-Modeling Processors

Decide whether a rig needs effects only, amplifier and cabinet modeling, or both by tracing where tone and speaker behavior originate.

Interactive system planner

Match the processor to the destination.

Choose practice, stage or recording priorities and get a focused connection and capability checklist.

Open the rig planner

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Check it out

Three processors worth opening now, spanning a fresh flagship capture-and-effects launch, flexible touchscreen routing and direct knob-first control. These are research-led picks, not hands-on claims; confirm the current manufacturer and seller details before buying.

01

IK Multimedia TONEX Board

IK’s fresh flagship launch makes this the rail’s capture-first choice for players building a dual-amp, wet/dry or deeply integrated live rig. Open it when multiple Tone Models and effects need to live in one floorboard, then compare its two signal paths, effects-loop and MIDI routing, touchscreen workflow, computer editing and physical footprint with the simpler BOSS options.

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BOSS GX-100

The fleet’s BOSS comparison has reached 158 impressions at average position 10.7, making the GX-100 the rail’s most evidence-backed decision point. Choose it over the ME-90 when touchscreen editing, movable effect blocks and a more shapeable signal path matter more than immediate knob-per-function control; then confirm its single effects loop, MIDI and external-control needs against your live rig.

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BOSS ME-90

Open this when rehearsal-speed knob editing and a familiar stompbox layout matter more than designing a modular signal path. Its mostly fixed chain, selectable loop position, eight footswitches and three user IR slots make it the clearest fit for direct physical control; compare those limits with the GX-100 before buying.

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